The companionship and crowds, jam-packed programmes and seemingly endless talent, energy and inspiration found at festivals can make it challenging to step back into ‘real life’ and routine. If you’re feeling a bit lost, low or lonely after waving your final festival goodbye, you should know that’s totally normal, but can also be tough.
Here are our top tips to help to ease the transition, and keep the folk spirit alive year-round.
1. Get some daylight, and some sleep!
Festivals often mean late nights and irregular sleep patterns, but as you return to your daily routine, it’s important to reset your body’s natural rhythm. One way to do this is by getting some daylight early in the day.
Exposure to natural light in the morning, even when it’s cold and grey, can help regulate your sleep patterns and improve your mood. Whether it’s a morning stroll, a cuppa on the doorstep, or just opening your curtains first thing, make sure you soak up some sunlight as you start your day. Similarly, try to get to bed at a sensible* time if you can, to fend off the mood swings that can come with sleep debt.
*For a given definition of sensible.
2. Time to ease off the booze
For many of us, folk festivals and drinking go together like Spiers and Boden, with a plentiful selection of ales and ciders on tap (along with an increasing abundance of Pimms).
Once the season ends however, it might be time to rethink relying on alcohol as a social lubricant. While ‘drinking there’s a charm in’, using alcohol to ease the post-festival blues can actually make things harder in the long run. Consider cutting back and finding other ways to relax and de-stress, like mindful crafting or joyful movement (more below), and spending time with family and friends.
3. Foster friendships, but (maybe) leave festival romances at the campsite gate
Today’s digital age and abundance of social media and instant messaging apps makes it easier than ever to nurture friendships forged at festivals throughout the year. Don’t underestimate the power of ‘snail mail’ either – care packages in the post can be a lovely way to lift your friends’ spirits. If you have small children, encouraging them to swap addresses and write postcards to festival buddies is a great way to incentivise reading and writing and give them some autonomy over their friendships.
Folk festivals are of course holiday romance hot spots, and have given rise to many loving, lasting relationships (and a new generation of tiny morris dancers). However, sometimes, for whatever reason, romantic connections that are rewarding and positive in the unique festival context can become damaging when pursued outside of their bubble. Those same social media platforms that facilitate wholesome folky friendships can make it difficult to draw a line under a pleasant encounter and step back into reality, but this is sometimes the healthiest course of action.
4. Get involved with your local folk scene
Even if you have left a lover at the gate, you don’t need to say goodbye to other folk passions just yet. There’s likely a vibrant folk scene right in your own community waiting to welcome you. Seek out local gigs, folk clubs, singing courses or dance sides to keep you active and your spirits lifted as the nights draw in. Supporting local and touring artists by going to gigs not only keeps the folk spirit alive but literally puts food on the table of many a professional musician and keeps small venues open during the leaner months.
5. Take up a (new) instrument
The long winter evenings can be the perfect time to start or improve your musical skills. If you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, now is the time! Many amazing folk musicians offer online workshops and lessons, making it easier than ever to get started. Whether you’re picking up something completely new or refining your current skills, immersing yourself in music can be a rewarding and productive way to beat the post-festival blues.
If you need inspiration, Halsway Manor run a range of courses to help keep the festival spirit alive all year.
6. Join a dance side
September is the month when most folk dance teams head back to their practice rooms after a long summer of ‘dancing out’. It’s probably also when some of us are feeling somewhat bloated after months of festival burgers and late nights in the beer tent.
Joining a dance side now, if you’re not already part of one, will not only give you a post-summer endorphin boost, but you’ll have plenty of time to learn the dances before next summer’s festival season! Here’s ten more reasons to join a morris team or check out the morris map below to find a side close to you.
7. Set up a tent in your garden and refuse to accept reality
We don’t really recommend this one.
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Know what you mean, Nelly. Although we haven’t done the ‘full fat’ version of Bromyard FF for a year or two, this is the first year we’ve missed it totally since our first visit in 1977. BUT, there’s always next year to look forward to! :o)